Best Caliber for Deer and maybe larger
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So, like I said I am trying to make this the year I actually get out deer hunting, did it twice when I was a kid in upstate NY but that was almost 25 years ago. I am looking at a rifle that is good for deer and possibly Elk. Right now I am looking between 7mm, 30-06, or 6.5 Creedmoor. I don’t care much about preserving for the mount, more concerned with the ability to possibly go after larger game.
Hopefully I am not about to start a riot.
Jonathon oh and one more thing I forgot to mention, my opinion make sure it is a bolt action or single shot and not a semi auto. Bolt actions are much more accurate not only mechanically but mentally as well. When you know you may not have enough time for a second shot you make the first one count. With a semi auto people tend to get trigger happy and eject 5 shells in seconds with no or little results. Wounding an animal is the worst feeling, I watch my buddy do it every year with his semi auto. It’s gut wrenching and literally boils my blood.
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Jonathon oh and one more thing I forgot to mention, my opinion make sure it is a bolt action or single shot and not a semi auto. Bolt actions are much more accurate not only mechanically but mentally as well. When you know you may not have enough time for a second shot you make the first one count. With a semi auto people tend to get trigger happy and eject 5 shells in seconds with no or little results. Wounding an animal is the worst feeling, I watch my buddy do it every year with his semi auto. It’s gut wrenching and literally boils my blood.
twilliams Spot On, other than a single shot, like a Ruger #1, which I also really like. However, you better have a plan B & Back-up, just in case, if you can. That is where the Bolt Action comes into play. Definitely stay away from the Semi Auto. Nothing wrong with a good Lever Action either, in some cases. But the Bolt is always the best bet.
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There are lots of calibers that will kill deer and elk effectively.
No rifle or cartridge caliber can compensate for poor marksmanship or poor shot placement.
I would argue more game is lost due to the poor marksmanship/shot placement than to someone who wasn’t carrying a rifle chambered in the “best caliber”I would recommend borrowing a rifle now if you have to and spend some serious time at the range. Also remember, deer hunting is different than shooting off a bench at the range. Sometimes while hunting you are shooting from awkward positions in bad light and crappy weather.
After your rifle is sighted-in, target practice under realistic field conditions is a better way to prepare for a hunt than just popping off rounds from a bench with sandbags or a rest.
As far actual chamberings, I like the .270 Winchester (non-magnum). Great for deer and with heavier bullets adequate for elk. As others have mentioned, 30-06 is a excellent choice and the recoil and ammo price won’t beat you to death like some magnum calibers can. If a rifle recoils so hard you can’t stand to practice with it, it makes it more difficult to get proficient with it.
During normal times, calibers like .270 Win. 30-06, and .308 Win. are readily available at stores like Walmart and other small-town businesses that might not carry more exotic calibers.
These days, ammo availability can be hit or miss on most calibers, but getting better around here.
processhead perfectly stated! Know your gun and know how to shoot.
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There are lots of calibers that will kill deer and elk effectively.
No rifle or cartridge caliber can compensate for poor marksmanship or poor shot placement.
I would argue more game is lost due to the poor marksmanship/shot placement than to someone who wasn’t carrying a rifle chambered in the “best caliber”I would recommend borrowing a rifle now if you have to and spend some serious time at the range. Also remember, deer hunting is different than shooting off a bench at the range. Sometimes while hunting you are shooting from awkward positions in bad light and crappy weather.
After your rifle is sighted-in, target practice under realistic field conditions is a better way to prepare for a hunt than just popping off rounds from a bench with sandbags or a rest.
As far actual chamberings, I like the .270 Winchester (non-magnum). Great for deer and with heavier bullets adequate for elk. As others have mentioned, 30-06 is a excellent choice and the recoil and ammo price won’t beat you to death like some magnum calibers can. If a rifle recoils so hard you can’t stand to practice with it, it makes it more difficult to get proficient with it.
During normal times, calibers like .270 Win. 30-06, and .308 Win. are readily available at stores like Walmart and other small-town businesses that might not carry more exotic calibers.
These days, ammo availability can be hit or miss on most calibers, but getting better around here.
processhead I wish I had bought the equipment a long time ago to load my own, when I could. I still have lots of casings, lots. But never did start re-loading as much as I wanted. I suppose it was about like beer making, but I am going to get to the beer brewing at least, one way or the other.
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On a side note I would go with a composite stock what ever caliber you choose to buy, lighter and don’t worry about scratches.
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On a side note I would go with a composite stock what ever caliber you choose to buy, lighter and don’t worry about scratches.
bocephus said in Best Caliber for Deer and maybe larger:
On a side note I would go with a composite stock what ever caliber you choose to buy, lighter and don’t worry about scratches.
Unless you really appreciate the grain in a nicely figured walnut stock.
I am old school, and really like wood stocks, even if they get a abused a bit in use. Rifles are tools, and tools are for using.Yeah I appreciate the practicality of composite stocks, but like I said, old school.
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bocephus said in Best Caliber for Deer and maybe larger:
On a side note I would go with a composite stock what ever caliber you choose to buy, lighter and don’t worry about scratches.
Unless you really appreciate the grain in a nicely figured walnut stock.
I am old school, and really like wood stocks, even if they get a abused a bit in use. Rifles are tools, and tools are for using.Yeah I appreciate the practicality of composite stocks, but like I said, old school.
processhead I have synthetic & stainless in my 6mm-08 & a synthetic in my 835 Ulti-mag & they are alright. However, I too really appreciate the grain & beauty of the wood & have re-worked or made a few of them new in years past & really like that wood too.
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So, like I said I am trying to make this the year I actually get out deer hunting, did it twice when I was a kid in upstate NY but that was almost 25 years ago. I am looking at a rifle that is good for deer and possibly Elk. Right now I am looking between 7mm, 30-06, or 6.5 Creedmoor. I don’t care much about preserving for the mount, more concerned with the ability to possibly go after larger game.
Hopefully I am not about to start a riot.
Jonathon great discussion here. Just an FYI, my MOS in the Marine Corps was 8541. Thats the designator for Scott Sniper. I by no means pretend to know everything about ballistics or firearms, but I’ve used them (firearms) professionally for over 3 decades and picked up a few tricks along the way from people alot smarter than me. I can tell you that every caliber mentioned here would do the job on the large game in North America if used properly with the right ammo. What you may want to consider is the cost of quality ammo for the long term in the caliber you chose. processhead hit the nail on the head; most of this boils down to marksmanship so factor in practice ammo. I zero and train with the exact round I hunt with. I will also add that putting the proper glass (scope) on the rifle is IMHO is as important as the brand of rifle and caliber. Most quality modern rifles will outshoot the shooter. I know it sounds like getting a bigger gun/caliber would do it all, but I’m a firm believer in using the right tool for the job. I would take any of these recommendations and figure out how far you plan on making your average shot and base my decision on that with the game you want to take down. Keep in mind that some of the bigger bore rifles in a bolt action will slap the taste out of your mouth. Also look at the overall weight of the weapon and how far you plan on humping into the woods with it. My 2 cents. I hope this helps some.
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Jonathon great discussion here. Just an FYI, my MOS in the Marine Corps was 8541. Thats the designator for Scott Sniper. I by no means pretend to know everything about ballistics or firearms, but I’ve used them (firearms) professionally for over 3 decades and picked up a few tricks along the way from people alot smarter than me. I can tell you that every caliber mentioned here would do the job on the large game in North America if used properly with the right ammo. What you may want to consider is the cost of quality ammo for the long term in the caliber you chose. processhead hit the nail on the head; most of this boils down to marksmanship so factor in practice ammo. I zero and train with the exact round I hunt with. I will also add that putting the proper glass (scope) on the rifle is IMHO is as important as the brand of rifle and caliber. Most quality modern rifles will outshoot the shooter. I know it sounds like getting a bigger gun/caliber would do it all, but I’m a firm believer in using the right tool for the job. I would take any of these recommendations and figure out how far you plan on making your average shot and base my decision on that with the game you want to take down. Keep in mind that some of the bigger bore rifles in a bolt action will slap the taste out of your mouth. Also look at the overall weight of the weapon and how far you plan on humping into the woods with it. My 2 cents. I hope this helps some.
GWG8541 More Excellent Points. I suppose we just cannot say enough, beyond practice, practice, practice, & then some more. Of course like GWG8541 said head on & I alluded to, make sure you have something you are comfortable with, so you will still be interested in practicing tomorrow. Without that, it all a NO GO. Well, unless you are just a flat out BA.
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GWG8541 More Excellent Points. I suppose we just cannot say enough, beyond practice, practice, practice, & then some more. Of course like GWG8541 said head on & I alluded to, make sure you have something you are comfortable with, so you will still be interested in practicing tomorrow. Without that, it all a NO GO. Well, unless you are just a flat out BA.
calldoctoday or stupid, sometimes being stupid helps better than being a BA.
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calldoctoday or stupid, sometimes being stupid helps better than being a BA.
GWG8541 OK, I will buy that! I am really laughing hard now.
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So, like I said I am trying to make this the year I actually get out deer hunting, did it twice when I was a kid in upstate NY but that was almost 25 years ago. I am looking at a rifle that is good for deer and possibly Elk. Right now I am looking between 7mm, 30-06, or 6.5 Creedmoor. I don’t care much about preserving for the mount, more concerned with the ability to possibly go after larger game.
Hopefully I am not about to start a riot.
Jonathon I agree with Tex_77 about the Meat Eater site and processhead makes several good points. I have shot and taken several large game animals with many different calibers. Personally I am partial to the 30-06 because it’s wide range of bullet weights, ammo available, cost, etc… Magnums have the umph…, will reach out and deliver, but you need to be proficient to use it’s capabilities. The farther you shoot the more weather, wind, placement, etc… becomes a bigger factor. The cost of the ammo and finding what you practiced with on the road can be sketchy. They are typically heavier which you will notice after a day in the field. Then there is the recoil, I have never noticed it taking game, but by round 5 at the range it becomes very noticeable. Find a friend that shoots and try out what they have, bring some ammo to use or replace and learn what you like and dislike. Once you buy one firearm you will want to buy another.
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My two cents.
I think a lot of it comes down to the terrain you are hunting. Brush, wooded, swamp or open fields. Distance you ae shooting is a factor. For instance, heavily wooded land doesn’t require a large caliber or “faster” round, where as, open range does.I’ve used a Marlin 30-30 for the last forty years as does my one son. Our typical shot is less than a 100 yards. My other two sons use a 30-06 and 7mm. They all do the job. No tracking required.
Ultimately, you want the knock down power.
PapaSop said in Best Caliber for Deer and maybe larger:
My two cents.
I think a lot of it comes down to the terrain you are hunting. Brush, wooded, swamp or open fields. Distance you ae shooting is a factor. For instance, heavily wooded land doesn’t require a large caliber or “faster” round, where as, open range does.I’ve used a Marlin 30-30 for the last forty years as does my one son. Our typical shot is less than a 100 yards. My other two sons use a 30-06 and 7mm. They all do the job. No tracking required.
Ultimately, you want the knock down power.
I love my Marlin 30-30. I don’t shoot it near as much as I used to. If your in close quarter combat with a deer, nothing blows a leg off like a 30-30.
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PapaSop said in Best Caliber for Deer and maybe larger:
My two cents.
I think a lot of it comes down to the terrain you are hunting. Brush, wooded, swamp or open fields. Distance you ae shooting is a factor. For instance, heavily wooded land doesn’t require a large caliber or “faster” round, where as, open range does.I’ve used a Marlin 30-30 for the last forty years as does my one son. Our typical shot is less than a 100 yards. My other two sons use a 30-06 and 7mm. They all do the job. No tracking required.
Ultimately, you want the knock down power.
I love my Marlin 30-30. I don’t shoot it near as much as I used to. If your in close quarter combat with a deer, nothing blows a leg off like a 30-30.
Grimpuppy if I am in the cedar swamps that is my gun of choice. I did shoot one at 300yds across a farm field. Didn’t have the energy to knock him down, but did take out both lungs. Had to do some tracking, but all ended well.
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PapaSop said in Best Caliber for Deer and maybe larger:
My two cents.
I think a lot of it comes down to the terrain you are hunting. Brush, wooded, swamp or open fields. Distance you ae shooting is a factor. For instance, heavily wooded land doesn’t require a large caliber or “faster” round, where as, open range does.I’ve used a Marlin 30-30 for the last forty years as does my one son. Our typical shot is less than a 100 yards. My other two sons use a 30-06 and 7mm. They all do the job. No tracking required.
Ultimately, you want the knock down power.
I love my Marlin 30-30. I don’t shoot it near as much as I used to. If your in close quarter combat with a deer, nothing blows a leg off like a 30-30.
Grimpuppy since I got a doe tag this year I am going to use my Grandpa’s Winchester 94 in 30-30. He shot many deer with that gun. I was with him when he shot his last deer and that was around 1990. He gave me that gun in about 2000. I’m really looking forward to it just because of the connection to him. I know he will be with me in spirit.
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PapaSop said in Best Caliber for Deer and maybe larger:
My two cents.
I think a lot of it comes down to the terrain you are hunting. Brush, wooded, swamp or open fields. Distance you ae shooting is a factor. For instance, heavily wooded land doesn’t require a large caliber or “faster” round, where as, open range does.I’ve used a Marlin 30-30 for the last forty years as does my one son. Our typical shot is less than a 100 yards. My other two sons use a 30-06 and 7mm. They all do the job. No tracking required.
Ultimately, you want the knock down power.
I love my Marlin 30-30. I don’t shoot it near as much as I used to. If your in close quarter combat with a deer, nothing blows a leg off like a 30-30.
Grimpuppy Great guns, I have two of them.
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Thanks to all of you who responded. I have a few people here who have 30-06, .243, Creedmoor, 7mm and 308 so I am going to try to get a range day going where I can try a few out, see what I like the best. Big advantage the 30-06 has for me right now is that I know someone who got a case of Amo when someone in their family passed and they don’t shoot much, so I “should” be able to talk them into letting me buy that off of them.
twilliams Yeah, I was a little worried about this but in the end, as usual, the community kept to our respect each other and help each other ways and everything was friendly! Also I was looking bolt action, I don’t want/need it to shoot semi and I am planning on 200 yards and under for the deer. A $6,000 gun is quite the investment but in the end I’d imagine that the price on it is probably now above that? YooperDog yeah, weight is a slight factor but I know where I would be hunting this year and while it is big the terrain is fairly easy to navigate, not going into the Mountains or anything, just a few rolling hills. GWG8541 Thanks for the breakdown and the input on the glass, this has been stated numerous times to me by people here as well so I am looking at buying a rifle on the lower end of my range so I can spend more on the optics.
Get more help with your processing questions and learn more about processing meat by subscribing to our waltonsinc.com youtube page at https://wltns.link/waltonstv I am a Gorilla, love yourself
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Thanks to all of you who responded. I have a few people here who have 30-06, .243, Creedmoor, 7mm and 308 so I am going to try to get a range day going where I can try a few out, see what I like the best. Big advantage the 30-06 has for me right now is that I know someone who got a case of Amo when someone in their family passed and they don’t shoot much, so I “should” be able to talk them into letting me buy that off of them.
twilliams Yeah, I was a little worried about this but in the end, as usual, the community kept to our respect each other and help each other ways and everything was friendly! Also I was looking bolt action, I don’t want/need it to shoot semi and I am planning on 200 yards and under for the deer. A $6,000 gun is quite the investment but in the end I’d imagine that the price on it is probably now above that? YooperDog yeah, weight is a slight factor but I know where I would be hunting this year and while it is big the terrain is fairly easy to navigate, not going into the Mountains or anything, just a few rolling hills. GWG8541 Thanks for the breakdown and the input on the glass, this has been stated numerous times to me by people here as well so I am looking at buying a rifle on the lower end of my range so I can spend more on the optics.
Jonathon I think just about any modern manufacturer produces a very accurate and affordable option these days. I remember in the 90/early 2000’s when I started hunting that the Remington models just couldn’t be beat. Unfortunately, I think their lineup has gone downhill lately but I haven’t kept up on Remington lately. Since their quality declined I had been looking at Savage, which other have mentioned, and I personally needed up going with Ruger in my last rifle purchase. I went with their American Ranch line which is light weight and short but I was in the market for 300Blk so light and short fits the bill there. The Ruger American lineup is pretty affordable. I don’t know if you can beat Vortex optics for the money either.
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Thanks to all of you who responded. I have a few people here who have 30-06, .243, Creedmoor, 7mm and 308 so I am going to try to get a range day going where I can try a few out, see what I like the best. Big advantage the 30-06 has for me right now is that I know someone who got a case of Amo when someone in their family passed and they don’t shoot much, so I “should” be able to talk them into letting me buy that off of them.
twilliams Yeah, I was a little worried about this but in the end, as usual, the community kept to our respect each other and help each other ways and everything was friendly! Also I was looking bolt action, I don’t want/need it to shoot semi and I am planning on 200 yards and under for the deer. A $6,000 gun is quite the investment but in the end I’d imagine that the price on it is probably now above that? YooperDog yeah, weight is a slight factor but I know where I would be hunting this year and while it is big the terrain is fairly easy to navigate, not going into the Mountains or anything, just a few rolling hills. GWG8541 Thanks for the breakdown and the input on the glass, this has been stated numerous times to me by people here as well so I am looking at buying a rifle on the lower end of my range so I can spend more on the optics.
Jonathon said in Best Caliber for Deer and maybe larger:
A $6,000 gun is quite the investment but in the end I’d imagine that the price on it is probably now above that? Thanks for the breakdown and the input on the glass, this has been stated numerous times to me by people here as well so I am looking at buying a rifle on the lower end of my range so I can spend more on the optics.
I think your budget is quite liberal. Everyone’s tastes run different, but I think you could put together a high quality scope/rifle combination that would satisfy every deer/elk hunting situation you will encounter for 1/2 to 1/3 that amount and have money left over for ammo and accessories.
Paul
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Jonathon said in Best Caliber for Deer and maybe larger:
A $6,000 gun is quite the investment but in the end I’d imagine that the price on it is probably now above that? Thanks for the breakdown and the input on the glass, this has been stated numerous times to me by people here as well so I am looking at buying a rifle on the lower end of my range so I can spend more on the optics.
I think your budget is quite liberal. Everyone’s tastes run different, but I think you could put together a high quality scope/rifle combination that would satisfy every deer/elk hunting situation you will encounter for 1/2 to 1/3 that amount and have money left over for ammo and accessories.
processhead I agree with that, Jonathon who cares if you have a 6K gun if you put junk optics on it, you won’t be able to see when it’s most important(low light situations).
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